Richard Wayne Gardner of Seward, NE. passed away unexpectedly on November 25, 2019, at the age of 87 years.  On May 22 ^nd , 1932, he was the first of three sons born to Guy Willard and Katie Marie (Stutzman) Gardner. Dick grew up on a farm near Goehner, Nebraska. He was baptized at West Fairview Mennonite Church. He graduated from Milford High School with the Class of 1949. After graduation he drove truck for Milford Transfer, and also worked with a company from Omaha that paved all of the Seward City streets. He was drafted into the United States Navy on October 29, 1953 during the Korean War, and served on the U.S.S. Brown. He was honorably discharged on October 28, 1955.  Dick married Jean Luebbe, the love of his life, on February 19, 1956, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Staplehurst, Nebraska. To this union 4 children were born, Sheree, Deb, Bruce and Susan.  In 1968 the family moved from Staplehurst to Seward where 1542 N. Columbia became their home for the past 51 years.

Dick was self employed his entire life. He owned and operated Gardner Feed Service for 10 years, in 1984 Dick started a 40 year career as a successful Life Insurance Agent with Franklin Life, and Farmers Mutual Hail, retiring at the age of 73.  Dick loved to travel, play golf with friends, watch Husker football, wash and wax his cars, he loved to read, and he was an avid bird watcher.

There wasn't a day that went by that he didn't follow a specific routine.  He loved spending time with Jean every morning doing a daily devotion.  Her study was small print, his was large print.  He loved reading God's word, and always wanted to grow in his faith. He loved his family and friends, he spent many hours supporting his grandchildren in school activities, and sports.  He was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church.

Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife of 63 years, Jean; four children, Sheree and husband Chip Soles, Sioux Falls, SD, Deb and husband Brian Hegeholz, Staplehurst, Bruce and wife Brooke Gardner, Windsor, CO, and Susan and husband Daryl Hackbart, Seward; 13 grandchildren, Brandee Soles, Ben and wife Nicole Soles, Sarah Soles, Melissa and husband Jordan Roth, Brandon Hegeholz, Kaylee and husband Jerrick Dawson, Lindsay Gardner, Samantha Gardner, Brittney Hackbart, Tyler and wife Blayne Hackbart, Jackson and wife Shelbi Hackbart, Elijah Hackbart and Micah Hackbart; nine great grandchildren, Jack Soles, Jaleana Roth, Levi Roth, Harper Dawson, Keagan Hackbart, Drake Hackbart, Grady Hackbart, Elianah Hackbart, Gabriel Hackbart; brother, Lonny Gardner, Aurora, CO, two brothers-in-law, Merle and wife Lois Luebbe, Loren Luebbe; two sisters-in-law, Joan Haase, Betty and husband Duane Bender; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim and wife Jane Gardner, sister-in-law Shirley Gardner.

The family would like to thank the many family and friends for the prayers and acts of kindness through this difficult time.  To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers, and memories of life shared with Dick.